An Open Letter to Mika Brzezinski

Lifezette:

MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski said Monday on the show that supporters of the Second Amendment who don’t want to talk about gun control in the wake of Sunday’s mass Texas church shooting are “cowards” — even though two armed Texans reportedly chased the gunman down.

Dear Mika,

I am a Second Amendment supporter who is perfectly willing to talk about "gun control" after the atrocity in Sutherland Springs, Texas. Contrary to what you seem to believe, I'm not alone, either. There are many, MANY of us out here.

But you and your boy-toy, Joe Scarborough, will never allow me — or any of us, for that matter — on your show. Hell, I doubt either of you would even be willing to post anonymous comments here.

Why is that?

Is it because you know, deep in your two-sizes-too-small hearts, that the pro-Second-Amendment side of this conversation has facts, evidence, scholarly research, and SCOTUS decisions supporting our point of view, while you have name-calling?

Is it because you don't want to be intellectually trounced challenged on national television?

Is your self-styled public image as the all-knowing moral compass of America too delicate to risk in a real, honest-to-God unscripted dialogue?

I wonder....

You said, "Like exactly when can we have this conversation? You're cowards."

Let me make this absolutely clear: We're having this conversation right now. We've been having this conversation for upwards of 30 years! We have it again after every terrorist attack and after every time some disaffected loser decides to take out his perceived personal grievances on innocent victims! Every. Single. Time! We never stop having this conversation, because there is always someone like you who says our rights should be restricted and we need to have a conversation.

Here's the truth, whether you choose to see it or not: The conversation has been happening all around you. You have just never truly participated.

And I for one resent being called a coward, when you choose to not participate directly in that conversation you claim you want to have, and which I have been actively engaging in for years.

Who's the coward here? (Hint: I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere. I don't even edit or delete comments, unlike many pro-"gun-control" bloggers. Ergo, it must not be me.)

So any time you feel like you want to have that conversation — REALLY have that conversation, with someone who talks back — feel free to drop by and leave a comment. Hit up my e-mail (it's right up there in the upper-right corner of the blog), and we'll talk. I'll even be polite and not resort to name-calling and/or histrionic wailing! But you'd better bring your A-game, because I will be quoting SCOTUS, citing rigorous scholarly research, using logic and reason, and bringing facts and truths you may find inconvenient and prefer to ignore.

Until then, you can keep your self-deluded moral supremacy to yourself.

Sincerely,

Archer

[via David Codrea]

Canadian Gun Rights Struggle

Americans are typically barely aware of things up north: there's usually nothing happening in America’s attic. When reminded, we tend to think of Canadians as unfailingly polite, slightly goofy, somewhat condescending, and wholly irritating. Irritating, because we've realized that the Canadians have sent us Justin Bieber, Celine Dion, Jim Carrey, Neil Young and James Cameron, and now refuse to take them back. Bastards.   

They’re also our neighbors involved in a daily struggle for gun rights.

Canada is usually assumed to be a largely disarmed nation, similar to England, Australia, and New Zealand.  Actually, Canada has a long tradition of hunting and self-reliance, a significant number of firearms owners, ever growing target, clay and action shooting cadres, and the frontier’s self-reliant sensibilities. As Canada grew and “civilized”, there was the usual pull of rights into government control, resulting in an authoritarian series of registration requirements, permitting and handgun and long gun restrictions. To resist the government’s grasp, a vibrant rights community has sprung up, defending and even reacquiring lost rights.

Canada has no Constitutional protection of the right to keep and bear arms; the defense of firearms rights is purely political. There’s also no Gun Culture 2.0 as exemplified by the American concealed carry movement, so the resistance must center on the hunting and sports communities. The Canadian Shooting Sports Association (CSSA) and National Firearms Association (NFA) are the major rights organizations above the border. Both orgs struck a blow for freedom with the recent elimination of the expensive and largely useless national Long-Gun Registry. The NFA has struck a cord with their aggressive “No Compromise” stance. It’s good to know that Canadian citizens have such snarling watchdogs on their side.

A wood-fired Intranet is embraced by Canadians as a natural tool in the defense of their rights. There’s a bunch of uniquely Canadian forums, blogs, podcasts, and magazines. Some standouts include the Canadian Gun Nutz forum, and the Slam Fire Radio and Action Shooting Radio podcasts. The ‘casts are especially worth a listen, but be sure to have your toque screwed on tight. Take a look at The Hunting Gear Guy for his long list of gun tinged forums. 

The right to self-defense and the attendant right to keep and bear arms is a human right. Those rights go far beyond the US borders. We should be aware and supportive of the efforts of our brothers and sisters in the Frozen North.
  

They are the Eh-Team when it comes to defending Canadian firearms rights.

Additional Linkerage:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_politics_in_Canada
http://www.gunownersresource.com/Topics/canadian-gun-rights/
 

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